Modern Maturity center to learn 'The Importance of Being Earnest'

The next play by The Children's Theatre, Inc., is ironically geared toward a more mature audience than kids, since the storyline and humor would soar over the heads of youngsters.

Andre Lamarandre.lamar@doverpost.com@302DoAndre

The next play by The Children's Theatre, Inc., is ironically geared toward a more mature audience than kids, since the storyline and humor would soar over the heads of youngsters.

While the tykes can look forward to a whimsical production of the "Jungle Book" in November, folks in their mid-teens or older will get a kick out of seeing the Children's Theatre present the witty British comedy "The Importance of Being Earnest" at the Modern Maturity Center on Tuesday, Aug. 6.

Set in the Victorian era, the wealthy British chap Jack Worthing always comes to the aid of his irresponsible brother, Earnest, who's far less dignified than Worthing. The problem is Worthing doesn't really have a brother. But for years he's been telling tales about needing to immediately leave Hertfordshire, England for London to help rescue his scandalous sibling who has a knack for getting into trouble.

In truth, frequently bailing Earnest out is Worthing's excuse to disappear to London for a few days where he can party it up and forget about his responsibilities in Hertfordshire.

Not to mention, Worthing is known as Earnest in London.

But after reaching a point where he feels it's time to kill off his fictitious brother, Worthing's swank friend, Algernon Moncrieff, decides to use the name Earnest, assuming the role of his pal's brother.

However, what started off as a white lie eventually snowballs into an avalanche of foolishness for the two gents as they'll both discover they can't reveal their true identifies, even if they want to since their love interests only want to marry men named Earnest.

With quick-witted humor, heaps of silliness and more twists than a whodunit, this play will literally unveil to the crowd: "The Importance of Being Earnest."

"That's where the play on words with title comes in," said Andrew Lloyd, who's co-directing the show with his wife, Pam. "The two male leads at one point or another call themselves Earnest and take that identity. But that person really doesn't exist at all."

Although this production is a comedy, trying to learn a British accent for some was no laughing matter.

"I decided not to do one because I can't," said Chris Kelemen, 13, cast as Moncrieff.

Thankfully for the cast, accents were optional. And while not everyone will use English accents, Lloyd has still found a way to make this England-based world that he and his wife are directing feel authentic.

"Some of my actors were really trying to get the English accents down," Lloyd said. "I said don't worry about that, just try to sound to posh, upper class and a little snooty."